Staff and students at ذكذكتسئµ (ذكذكتسئµ) Leicester have teamed up with the British Red Cross to host a Christmas party for refugee families living in the city.
Refugees who have settled across Leicester came together at ذكذكتسئµ’s Campus Centre for an afternoon of Christmas songs, party games, drawing and a festive feast, courtesy of national catering company Chartwells.
Komal Sayed, who previously worked with UNICEF, came to Leicester two years ago after fleeing Afghanistan. He secured a job with the British Red Cross as a business support manager and now helps run the team responsible for supporting migrants and displaced people.
Komal Sayed (middle) with his family
He is joined in Leicester by his wife, Tahmina, and their children, Asia, 21, Khalid, 18, Mansor, 16, Aimal, 12, Haya, 6, and Ada, 5, with Khalid particularly looking forward to visiting Grace Road next summer for the start of the cricket season.
Komal said the party was a nice way to help refugees meet people in the community.
He said: “Leicester is a really nice city and you can find people from all parts of the world here because it is very multicultural.
“The people here are very helpful and want to find you support wherever you need it. I really like Leicester and working with the Red Cross. It’s nice to come today and see people getting on with one another and letting their children have fun.”
Jumaa Sadik moved to Leicester two years ago and said that he “loves Leicester” and has experienced the best of the city’s people since arriving, calling them “very kind and understanding to me.”
He is now studying to improve his English and is excited to learn more about the city’s culture.
Jumaa Sadik and his family have settled in Leicester
For many years, ذكذكتسئµ has been working to improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers. In 2022, it launched Project Atefa, named after Atefa Waseq, an Afghan academic who fled Taliban rule.
Through the initiative, students volunteer to run interviews, workshops, events and storytelling activities, including a recent trip to Berlin where they transformed a green space at a refugee centre in the city.
The university also made a national pledge earlier this year to help those fleeing violence and persecution by publicly supporting the City of Sanctuary’s vision, which outlines how the UK can become a welcoming place for all.
Aqilah Binti Wan Kamarulzaman, who is studying for her Master’s in Architecture and Sustainability at ذكذكتسئµ, was one of the student volunteers responsible for organising the Christmas party.
She said it was an amazing experience to see the children come out of their shells.
Aqilah (left) with fellow student volunteers
Aqilah said: “I really enjoyed hearing how much the kids were enjoying themselves. Everyone was having a great time and even though we only had a few hours with them, we felt we built a close bond. It was great to see.
“Integration all depends on the community being welcoming and that is what this event was about. Together, as a society, we are stronger.”
Dr Mark Charlton, Associate Director of the United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Hub 11 at ذكذكتسئµ, added: “The public debate on migration has become highly toxic. This is not the story of Leicester.
“We wanted to bring people together and show they are welcome here and help build the inclusive society our city is so famous for.”
The event was hosted with the support of the British Red Cross, which offers assistance to refugees settling in the city as well as to families going through a crisis.
Erik Schmitt from the British Red Cross at Saturday's Christmas party
Erik Schmitt has been working with the organisation for four years and said events like this are important for the community.
He said: “We were excited to work with ذكذكتسئµ on this event because, first of all, the environment out there is quite negative around new arrivals in our community. Refugees are sensing that first-hand; a lot of them are probably experiencing negativity and mistreatment.
“What we’re seeing lately is that many of these people are facing hardship that’s out of their control. A lot of pressure is coming from negative narratives about refugees and the misinformation that’s floating around. Events like this can alleviate a lot of that pressure.
“It reminds people that Leicester is a safe place for them and their families. They came here seeking protection and our number one priority is making sure their families are safe.”
Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2025